Interchangeable window treatment apparatus

ABSTRACT

A plurality of interchangeable window treatment clips is provided, and each clip includes is attachable to a wall or window frame or positioned on and slidable along the length of a mounted curtain rod. The interchangeable window treatment clips include a U-shaped mounting bracket formed to accept a mounting screw or fastener for securing the clip to the wall. Alternatively, opposite sides of the U-shaped mounting clip may be formed with a rod-accepting aperture for placement over a curtain rod. A removable clip assembly is shaped to be attachable to the U-shaped mounting bracket and includes a clip capable of grasping curtain material, such as a pleated curtain, drapery, or curtain panel. The front surface of the removable clip assembly is equipped with a fastener, such as hook-and-loop or magnetic fasteners that facilitate the attachment of the decorative and ornamental panel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to home furnishings and decorations. The present invention is more particularly related to window coverings, and is perhaps best suited for interchangeable window treatments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of home decoration, there are several families of window treatments used to improve the aesthetic appearance. For instance, vertical blinds have been used for many years to provide a finishing appearance to window treatments. Also, vertical blinds have been used to provide a vertically-oriented window treatment. In some cases, these blinds have been painted, tinted, or covered with various materials such as woven fabric or decorative paper. These treatments are intended to improve the aesthetic appearance of the blinds, and to provide an overall decorative finish to the windows.

As an alternative to blinds, hanging draperies have also been used to provide cover and decoration to a window. Draperies styles have included traditional hanging pleated draperies which slide on a vertical curtain rod, and may be accessorized with an overhanging valence.

Whether using blinds or draperies, a significant drawback exists with currently existing window treatments. Specifically, when using standard horizontal blinds, commonly called mini blinds, it is necessary to permanently mount the blinds to the window frame. This includes screwing a bracket into the wall, and permanently securing the blind assembly thereto. Similarly, when using vertical blinds, a track must be permanently mounted to the upper portion of the window frame. Similarly, when using traditional draperies, it is necessary to permanently mount one or more curtain rods to the window frame, and then attach the curtains or drapes to the rods.

Because the blinds or draperies are permanently mounted to the walls or window frame, it is exceedingly difficult to change them. As a result of this permanent mounting, and the often extraordinary costs involved in replacing blinds or curtains, the home décor often remains unchanged for many years.

In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide a window treatment capable of being easily mounted to a window frame. It would also be advantageous to provide a window treatment that is dynamic, and can be easily changed or updated to reflect the changing aesthetic choices of the homeowner without having to invest the significant financial resources required to replace blinds or draperies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A plurality of interchangeable window treatment clips is provided, and each clip includes is attachable to a wall or window frame. The interchangeable window treatment clips include a U-shaped mounting bracket formed to accept a mounting screw or fastener for securing the clip to the wall. Alternatively, opposite sides of the U-shaped mounting clip may be formed with a rod-accepting aperture for placement over a curtain rod.

A removable clip assembly is shaped to be attachable to the U-shaped mounting bracket and includes a clip capable of grasping curtain material, such as a pleated curtain, drapery, or curtain panel. The front surface of the removable clip assembly is equipped with a fastener that provides for the attachment of an ornamental panel. This panel may be attached using hook-and-loop fasteners, or magnetic fasteners.

The interchangeable window treatment clips may be positioned on and slidable along the length of a mounted curtain rod. Alternatively, a curtain rod may be slidable through a plurality of mounted interchangeable window treatment clips. In another alternative, the interchangeable window treatment clips may be used without a curtain rod and mounted directly to the wall or window frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interchangeable window treatment clip of the present invention as used in a home in combination with a curtain rod and supporting a hanging curtain panel adjacent a window;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the interchangeable window treatment clip of the present invention showing a U-shaped mounting bracket formed with a rod aperture and shaped to receive a removable clip assembly having an interchangeable decorative panel;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the interchangeable window treatment clip of the present invention showing the U-shaped mounting bracket having an aperture to receive a circular-cross-sectioned curtain rod (shown in phantom) and having a removable clip assembly with a fastener to receive a decorative panel;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the interchangeable window treatment clip of the present invention showing the U-shaped mounting bracket having an aperture to receive a rectangular-cross-sectioned curtain rod (shown in phantom) and having a removable clip assembly with a fastener to receive a decorative panel;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interchangeable window treatment clip of the present invention showing the U-shaped mounting bracket and having a removable clip assembly with a fastener to receive a decorative panel having a football helmet shape;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interchangeable window treatment clip of the present invention showing the U-shaped mounting bracket and having a removable clip assembly with a fastener to receive a decorative panel having a star shape;

FIG. 7 is a collection of views of the interchangeable window treatment clip of the present invention showing top, side and front views of the U-shaped mounting bracket, a side view of the removable clip assembly with an attached decorative panel, and a front plan view of an exemplary decorative panel;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the extendable U-shaped mounting bracket in a shortened configuration, and in an extended configuration;

FIG. 9 is a collection of views of the interchangeable window treatment clip of the present invention showing top, side and front views of the extendable U-shaped mounting bracket, a side view of the removable clip assembly with an attached decorative panel, and a front plan view of an exemplary decorative panel;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the removable clip assembly showing a hook-and-loop fastener to attach a decorative panel;

FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of interchangeable window treatment clips of the present invention as shown mounted to the ceiling above a bed to create a canopy bed;

FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the U-shaped mounting bracket formed with a slot for receiving a curtain rod and having a removable clip assembly;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the interchangeable window treatment clips of the present invention of FIG. 11 as shown mountable to a wall and formed with the slot for receiving a curtain rod, and having an attachable decorative panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring initially to FIG. 1, the interchangeable window treatment clips of the present invention are shown as utilized in a window treatment application. The perspective view of FIG. 1 includes a plurality of interchangeable window treatment clips of the present invention 100 as used in a home in combination with a curtain rod 114 and supporting a hanging curtain panel 54 adjacent a window 52. As shown, the interchangeable window treatment clips 100 may be attached to the wall 50, or may be supported entirely by rod 114. Referring to FIG. 2, a U-shaped mounting bracket 102 is shown and formed with a rod aperture 112 and shaped to receive a removable clip assembly 104 capable of receiving an interchangeable decorative panel 106.

A more detailed view of the interchangeable window treatment clips of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3, and includes a U-shaped mounting bracket 102 formed with a center panel 109 formed with one or more mounting holes 110 sized to receive a mounting screw (not shown) to secure the mounting bracket 102 to a wall or window frame. Sides 111 extend perpendicularly from center panel 109 and end with right-angle slides, or tabs 116.

As shown, a removable clip assembly 104 includes a body 105 formed with a pair of tab receivers 118 sized to receive tabs 116 of mounting bracket 102. An upper stop 121 prevents body 105 from sliding too far onto tabs 116, and ensures the proper positioning of the clip assembly 104 with respect to mounting bracket 102. As shown by dashed lines, removable clip assembly 104 may be urged downward such that tab receivers 118 receive tabs 116 until upper stop 121 strikes the sides 111. It is to be understood that conversely, removable clip assembly 104 may be removed from mounting bracket 102 simply by sliding the clip assembly 104 upwards so that the tab receivers 118 move off of tabs 116. This provides for the easy change of the clip assembly 104, as well as the decorative panel 106 which is attachable to the clip assembly 104.

Removable clip assembly 104 also includes a clip 120 having a spring 122 to provide a gripping force against body 105 to secure material, such as a curtain panel. It can be appreciated that various materials may be secured within clip 120, such as a variety of fabrics, pleated curtain panels, or any other window covering.

A fastener 124 is provided on the clip 120 of removable clip assembly for removably fastening an interchangeable decorative panel 106 (shown in FIG. 2) to the clip assembly. As shown in this Figure, fastener 124 is a magnetic element, such as a magnet. In a preferred embodiment, a rare-earth magnet having superior magnetic properties may be used. In cases where the decorative panel 106 is made from a ferrous material, no fastener is needed on the decorative panel 106. On the other hand, when the decorative panel 106 is made from non-ferrous materials, such as paper, cloth, or wood, an additional fastener will be required to be on the decorative panel 106 to fasten the decorative panel to clip 120.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a detailed view of an alternative embodiment of the interchangeable window treatment clip of the present invention is shown and generally designated 139. As shown, the U-shaped mounting bracket 140 is formed with a rectangular-shaped aperture 142 to receive a rectangular-cross-sectioned curtain rod 144 (shown in phantom). Interchangeable window treatment clip 139 also includes a removable clip assembly 104 with a fastener 124 to receive a decorative panel (not shown this Figure). As shown, the rectangular curtain rod 144 slides through the sides 111 and is slidable thereon.

In a preferred embodiment, curtain rod 144 may be permanently mounted to the wall using traditional mounting hardware, and the interchangeable window treatment clip 139 may slide freely along the rod 144. In an alternative application, the interchangeable window treatment clip 139 may be permanently mounted to the wall or window frame, and the rod 144 may slide freely through aperture 142.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the interchangeable window treatment clip of the present invention showing the U-shaped mounting bracket 102 formed with a circular rod aperture and having a removable clip assembly 104 with a fastener 124 to receive a decorative panel 106 having a football helmet shape; Fastener 124, in a preferred embodiment, is a magnetic fastener, such as a rare-earth magnet exhibiting substantial force against a decorative panel 106 made from a ferrous material. In applications where the decorative panel 106 is made from a non-magnetic material, a corresponding fastener 125 (shown in dashed lines) may be provided. In either case, the decorative panel 106 is secured to the clip assembly 104, yet can be removed so that the decorative panel 106 may be changed.

Referring to FIG. 6, a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the interchangeable window treatment clip of the present invention is shown and includes a U-shaped mounting bracket 140 formed with a rectangular rod aperture, and having a removable clip assembly 104 with a fastener 124 to receive a decorative panel 106 having a star shape.

FIG. 7 is a collection of views of the interchangeable window treatment clip of the present invention. Specifically, this Figure depicts the top, side and front views of the U-shaped mounting bracket 102, a side view of the removable clip assembly 104 with an attached decorative panel 106, and a front plan view of the exemplary decorative panel 106 shaped to resemble an oak leaf.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the interchangeable window treatment clip of the present invention is shown and generally designated 200. Interchangeable window treatment clip 200 includes an extendable U-shaped mounting bracket 202 formed with mounting holes 204 in back panel 205, and having two adjustments slots 206 formed in sides 207 and extending perpendicularly from back panel 205. A U-shaped slide 208 is positioned within sides 207 of mounting bracket 202 and secured in place with posts 210. Slide 208 is formed with a circular rod aperture 212 to receive a curtain rod, and is formed with tabs 216.

Posts 210 slide within slot 206 so that the slide 208 may move to alternative positions (shown by dashed lines 210A), so that slide 208 may slide away from mounting bracket 202 and tabs 216 are extended away to a second position (shown by dashed lines 216A). In a shortened configuration, slide 208 is seated into mounting bracket 202 to maintain the removable clip assembly (not shown this Figure) closest to the mounting bracket 202 and wall or window frame. In an extended configuration, slide 208 is extended away from mounting bracket 202 and the wall or window frame.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a collection of views of the interchangeable window treatment clip of the present invention is shown and generally designated 200. These figures depict top, side and front views of the extendable U-shaped mounting bracket 202, a side view of the removable clip assembly 104 with an attached decorative panel 250. From this view, a lower support tab 240 can be seen which provides support for the slide 208. Specifically, tab 240 prevents slide 208 from rotating about the axis created by post 210, and instead maintains slide 208 within sides 207 and parallel to the U-shaped mounting bracket 202.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the removable clip assembly 104 showing a hook-and-loop fastener 252 attached to clip 120, and a corresponding hook-and-loop fastener 254 attached to the backside of decorative panel 250. It is to be understood that while fasteners 124 and 252 have been shown and described herein as magnetic and hook-and-loop fasteners, respectively, no limitation is intended. Other means for attaching decorative panels to a removable clip assembly as are known in the art are fully contemplated herein, including, but not limited to snaps, hooks, clips, and the like.

From the various views presented herein, it is shown that decorative panel 106 may be formed with a variety of shapes. For instance, herein has been shown a maple leaf, star, and football helmet, and it is to be appreciated that these examples are merely exemplary of preferred embodiments, and that no limitations whatsoever are intended. The decorative panel 106 of the present invention may be formed with virtually any shape, and from virtually any suitable material, to provide the user with the desired aesthetic look.

U-shaped mounting bracket 102 has been shown to be formed with a circular rod-shaped aperture 112, and U-shaped mounting bracket 140 has been shown to be formed with a rectangular rod-shaped aperture 142. The particular shape of these apertures is merely exemplary of preferred embodiments, and that no limitations other than those specifically identified are intended. Further, apertures having different shapes may be utilized to provide different aesthetic appearances, as well as to accommodate curtain rods having different cross-sectional shapes.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a side view of an alternative embodiment of interchangeable window treatment apparatus of the present invention is generally designated 300 and shown mounted to the ceiling 290 above a bed 294 to create a canopy bed with an attachable canopy netting 292. While canopy netting 292 having a full length from the ceiling to the bed is shown, it is to be appreciated that materials having shorter lengths may be used with the present invention to provide aesthetically pleasing room décor. Also, from this Figure, it is to be appreciated that multiple treatments 300 may be mounted above the bed, or other furniture, to create enclosed spaces, room dividers, or virtually any other application in which a changeable material may be required.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the interchangeable window treatment apparatus 300 and includes a U-shaped mounting bracket 302 having a back panel 304 formed with mounting holes, and side panels 302 formed with a pair of slots 306 for receiving a curtain rod 308. As shown, curtain rod 308 may be removably placed into slots 306 so that the rod 308 is held in place by gravitational forces on the rod and any materials suspended therefrom, and provides an easy to remove curtain rod assembly. A removable clip assembly 310 is also provided as described above, and a removable panel 312 is attachable with a fastener 314.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the interchangeable window treatment apparatus 300 of FIG. 11, and is shown in a horizontal position, such as when mounted to a wall (not shown). From this Figure, it is shown that the U-clip 302 is mounted with back panel 304 to the wall using the mounting holes, and the curtain rod 308 is inserted into slot 306. An attachable decorative panel 312 is then attached to the clip assembly 310 with fastener 314 for a finished window treatment.

As shown, the interchangeable window treatment apparatus of the present invention is shown having a variety of U-clip structures, accommodating rods having differing cross-sectional shapes, and rods that may be inserted through the U-clip, or placed in a slot in the U-clip. It is to be appreciated that these embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments which describe the present invention, and that any combination of features described herein may be combined without departing from the present invention.

While there have been shown what are presently considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 

1. An interchangeable window treatment, comprising: a U-shaped mounting bracket, said bracket having a center panel and a pair of sides extending from said center panel, said sides each formed with a rod aperture sized to receive a curtain rod; a removable clip assembly removably attachable to said mounting bracket; and an interchangeable decorative panel removably attachable to said removable clip assembly.
 2. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 1, wherein said center panel is formed with one or more mounting holes sized to receive a mounting screw.
 3. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 1, wherein said sides of said U-shaped mounting bracket extend perpendicularly from said center panel and are each formed with right-angle tabs
 4. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 1, wherein said removable clip assembly further comprises a body formed with a pair of tab receivers sized to receive tabs of said mounting bracket.
 5. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 5, wherein said removable clip assembly further comprises an upper stop adjacent said tab receivers to prevent said body from sliding too far onto tabs.
 6. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 5, wherein said removable clip assembly further comprises a clip having a spring to urge said clip against said body.
 7. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 5, wherein said removable clip assembly further comprises a fastener attached to said clip for removably fastening an interchangeable decorative panel to the clip assembly.
 8. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 7, wherein said fastener is a magnetic fastener.
 9. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 8, wherein said interchangeable decorative panel is formed from a ferrous material.
 10. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 7, wherein said fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener.
 11. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 1, wherein said decorative panel is fixedly attached to said removable clip assembly.
 12. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 1, wherein said rod aperture is round.
 13. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 1, wherein said rod aperture is rectangular.
 14. An interchangeable window treatment, comprising: an extendable U-shaped mounting bracket having a back panel formed with one or more mounting holes; a pair of sides extending from said back panel, each said side formed with an adjustment slot extending perpendicularly from back panel and having a length; a U-shaped slide positioned within said sides of said mounting bracket, said U-shaped slide having sides formed with a tab; a rod extending from each side of said U-shaped slide and positioned to slide within one said adjustment slot formed in said mounting bracket; wherein said slide is positionable with said rod sliding within said slot.
 15. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 14, wherein said U-shaped slide is formed with a back panel formed with one or more mounting holes sized to receive a mounting screw.
 16. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 14, wherein said sides of said U-shaped slide extend perpendicularly from said center panel and are each formed with right-angle tabs.
 17. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 14, wherein said removable clip assembly further comprises a body formed with a pair of tab receivers sized to receive tabs of said U-shaped slide.
 18. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 14, wherein said removable clip assembly further comprises an upper stop adjacent said tab receivers to prevent said body from sliding too far onto said tabs.
 19. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 14, wherein said removable clip assembly further comprises a clip having a spring to urge said clip against said body.
 20. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 14, wherein said removable clip assembly further comprises a fastener attached to said clip for removably fastening an interchangeable decorative panel to the clip assembly.
 21. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 20, wherein said fastener is a magnetic fastener.
 22. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 21, wherein said interchangeable decorative panel is formed from a ferrous material.
 23. The interchangeable window treatment of claim 20, wherein said fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener.
 24. An interchangeable window treatment, comprising: a U-shaped mounting bracket, said bracket having a center panel and a pair of sides extending from said center panel, said sides each formed with a slot sized to receive a curtain rod; a removable clip assembly removably attachable to said mounting bracket; and an interchangeable decorative panel removably attachable to said removable clip assembly. 